Grandma's elderflower syrup recipe
Homemade Elderflower Cordial - Grandma's Recipe
Elderflower cordial is a refreshing summer drink, full of flavor and health benefits. Elderflowers not only provide a unique taste but are also rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Prepare this simple and quick recipe, inspired by grandma's traditions, and enjoy a natural treat on warm days. The total preparation time is about 48 hours, and the recipe is enough for 4-6 servings.
Ingredients:
- 15 fresh elderflowers (make sure they are unpolluted, pesticide-free)
- 1.5 liters of water
- 300 g sugar (you can adjust the amount to taste)
- 1 medium lemon (or 2 small lemons)
- 1 teaspoon of dry yeast (optional, for faster fermentation)
Preparation Instructions:
1. Preparing the elderflowers:
Choose fresh elderflowers with open petals, preferably in the early morning when their aroma is more intense. Rinse them gently under running water to remove any impurities. Avoid soaking them, as they can absorb water and lose their aroma.
2. Preparing the lemons:
Wash the lemons well under running water, then slice them thinly. You can use both the peel and the pulp, as the peel contains essential oils that will enhance the flavor of the cordial.
3. The base mixture:
In a large container, preferably glass or ceramic, add the water and sugar. Mix well until the sugar is completely dissolved. This is the time to add the elderflowers and lemon slices.
4. Fermentation:
If you want to speed up fermentation, add the teaspoon of dry yeast. This will help achieve a more effervescent cordial. Cover the container with a clean cloth or cheesecloth to allow air to circulate, but protect it from insects.
5. Waiting:
Let the mixture ferment at room temperature for 24-48 hours, depending on how tangy and fizzy you want the cordial to be. Check periodically if a foam has formed on the surface, which is a sign that fermentation is taking place.
6. Straining:
After the fermentation period has passed, strain the cordial through a fine sieve or cheesecloth to remove the flowers and lemon slices. Pour the resulting liquid into clean bottles, leaving a little space at the top.
7. Refrigeration:
Place the bottles in the refrigerator to chill. The cordial is best served cold, with ice, and if desired, you can add a few fresh mint leaves for an extra touch of freshness.
Useful Tips:
- You can experiment with different flavors by adding a few mint or basil leaves to the fermentation mixture.
- If you don't have fresh elderflowers, you can use elderflower extract available in stores, but the flavor won't be as intense.
- Make sure the container is clean to avoid contamination and to obtain a safe drink.
Serving Suggestion:
Elderflower cordial can be served in glasses with ice and garnished with the remaining lemon slices or a few elderflowers for a decorative touch. It is a perfect drink for summer parties, picnics, or simply to cool off after a hot day.
Enjoy the aromatic flavor of homemade elderflower cordial and bring a touch of tradition to every glass!
Put a few tablespoons of sugar in a pot and caramelize it. When all the sugar is melted and has a dark brown color, extinguish it with 1/2 liter of water and let it simmer on low heat to dissolve the caramelized sugar. Add the rest of the sugar to dissolve and stir for a few minutes, after which turn off the heat and let it cool. If you want to cool the syrup faster, pour cold water over it. Caramelizing the sugar is optional; I like it because it gives the syrup a golden color and a fine caramel aroma. When the syrup is just warm, add 1/2 teaspoon of yeast and stir to dissolve (this is also optional; yeast speeds up fermentation, but you need to stir the syrup occasionally during fermentation). In the containers where you want to let the syrup ferment (I used 5-liter jars), place 4 elderflowers (in each jar), lemon, lemon zest, and raisins (optional). Pour the sugar syrup over it (even if you don’t want to caramelize the sugar, it’s good to make a syrup, as it ferments faster) and top up with the rest of the water. Leave it in the sun for 3-4 days. Then, put the syrup in bottles and refrigerate. Tip: If you want to enjoy the syrup even faster but don’t want to use yeast, you can add a few grains of rice. They will enhance the fermentation process. The elderflower syrup recipe proposed by KikenHana on the recipe forum. Elderflower syrup is perfect for hot summer days or as a drink for kids, as it successfully replaces commercial juices.
Ingredients: Elderflower syrup grandmother's recipe 10 l water 1 kg sugar 8 elderflowers 3-4 lemons, grated and quartered zest from the above lemons 1-2 tablespoons raisins (optional) 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast or dissolved in water (optional)
Tags: elderflower cordial elderflower recipes beverage recipe natural juices
